Alaska: How and When to Travel

Dear Traveler,

Each summer thousands of people flock to Alaska to experience its legendary wildness, but only a relative few will actually explore it. The expeditions we offer are for travelers seeking to go beyond the predictable ports and tour spots frequented by cruise ships. Our nimble ships can tuck into secluded coves and harbors, and pull close enough to calving glaciers to feel the thunder. And our fleet of expedition landing craft, plus our special access permits, allow us to land along the wild shores, and venture into communities that have remained deliberately roadless.

The vast number of visitors to Alaska come from June through mid-August. It’s very much a family destination, and these mid-summer expeditions aboard our ships are alive with families, often three generations, and the pitter-patter of enthusiastic kids running up and down the decks is either a joyful sound, or not depending on your perspective. In May, the population joining us is, largely, adults only. So, if you are more inclined to be with other grownups not engaged with their children, this is a far better time to go.

I occasionally run into people who ask if May is too early and the answer is absolutely not. In spring, there’s a wonderful sense of new life with wilderness awakening all around us and the mountains are still heavy with snow, making the landscape—and its reflection in the water’s glassy surface—extremely photogenic. It’s also the time that black and brown bears emerge from hibernation and begin to be seen near the water.

Whenever you choose to come, you’ll benefit from our knowledge of the best sites to explore, gained through over 35 years of experience in Alaska, as well as the relationship we’ve established with the ultimate ‘insider,’ the Alaska Whale Foundation. There’s no better way to experience Alaska and all its wildness than on an authentic expedition.

Best regards,

Sven-Olof Lindblad

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST 2% 16% 19% 13% PERCENTAGE OF GUESTS UNDER 18

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

OUR NIMBLE SHIPS ARE KEY TO AN AWARD-WINNING EXPERIENCE

NIMBLE U.S.-FLAGGED EXPEDITION SHIPS THAT CAN GO WHERE

larger cruise ships cannot is only part of the authentic experience that earned us the 2019 Cruiser’s Choice Cruise Critic Award for

“Top Small Ship Cruise Line in Alaska.” While the ships enable us to take you in deep where the bears forage, bald eagles soar, and whales spectacularly breach, the cool tools they carry enable you to have your own individual up-close adventures. Our fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards let you experience these wild geographies with all your senses. Zodiacs let us explore virtually everywhere without being dependent on docks, ports, or piers. We can roam freely, feel the swells created by calving glaciers, or land on remote beaches to hike old-growth forests. Our kayaks and paddleboards let you paddle into quiet inlets to hear the sounds, or observe a family of otters up-close. In addition, you have the freedom to visit the Bridge to watch the captain and officers navigate the thrilling straits, narrows, and bays that make these waters so extraordinary to explore. Unparalleled access is what gives you incredible experiences, stories to share, a priceless stock of memories, and the best photos of your life.

Our ships in Southeast Alaska have the advantage of being U.S.-flagged. Foreign flagged vessels in Southeast Alaska must follow time-consuming protocols to clear customs. Our ships don’t have to and therefore gain a day+ to explore the region.

Learn more about our U.S.-flagged ships: expeditions.com/venture expeditions.com/quest expeditions.com/sealion expeditions.com/seabird Embark state-of-the-art National Geographic Orion for Alaska expeditions that take you further afield. Aboard this luxurious base camp, we’ll visit the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Sea, and the coast of the Russian Far East. National Geographic Orion boasts an abundance of expedition amenities – Zodiacs, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) – and her nimble scale and adventurous build enable active exploration in even the most remote regions.

Learn more about National Geographic Orion at expeditions.com/orion